Pilot from India among two killed in KZN Midlands plane crashes
The KZN Department of Transport has said that one of the pilots who died in separate light aircraft crashes in the KZN Midlands is from India.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
One of the two pilots who died in separate light aircraft crashes in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands was from India, the provincial government confirmed on Thursday.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, expressed his condolences to the families of both pilots and said his office would support them during this difficult time.
“First and foremost, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the two pilots who died when the two light aircraft had crashed in Nottingham Road and north of Boston respectively,” said Duma.
He said his office had been instructed to provide assistance to both families.
“In particular, for the process of repatriating the remains of one pilot who was from India,” Duma stated.
According to the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), both planes were reported missing on Wednesday amid inclement weather. The ARCC said it had received a Mayday call from one of the aircraft, prompting an intensive search and rescue operation.
The first plane and pilot were located in Howick, where the pilot was declared deceased at the scene. The second aircraft was found on Thursday morning in the Midlands, with the pilot also confirmed dead at the crash site.
Duma commended the search and rescue teams for their coordinated response despite difficult conditions.
“We pause to salute experts from the Aeronautical Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre, SAPS and other emergency teams from different spheres of government and the private sector,” he said. “The search and rescue team demonstrated efficiency and professionalism despite difficult terrains and inclement weather.”
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport confirmed that the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (SACAA) Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division will be probing the circumstances surrounding both crashes.
The division reported that the two aircraft had departed “in loose formation from Secunda Airport en route to Margate Regional Airport.”
Duma also thanked members of the media for what he described as professional and respectful coverage of the tragedy. “They displayed a deep understanding of the importance of adhering to strict protocols, which were established for the handling of the remains of the deceased,” he said.